Jim Shooter, renowned for 80s Marvel Comics, dies at 73
Shooter, who entered the comics industry at just 14 with scripts for DC's Superboy, was known for reshaping Marvel into a commercial powerhouse.
Named Marvel's ninth editor-in-chief in 1978, Shooter guided the company through the transition to the direct market and helped establish a creative boom.
Under his leadership, titles like X-Men, Daredevil, and New Mutants soared in popularity, while Marvel pioneered graphic novels, mini-series, and crossover events that became industry staples.
Shooter's tenure was not without controversy. Known for his firm editorial control and high standards, he clashed with creators over storylines, most famously insisting that Phoenix die in X-Men to maintain narrative integrity.
Despite internal tensions, his editorial reign is credited with elevating Marvel's output and ensuring its survival during a volatile economic period.
After leaving Marvel in 1987, Shooter co-founded Valiant Comics, which briefly rivalled the major publishers before his departure in 1992. He also launched several other publishing ventures, including Defiant Comics and Broadway Comics, with mixed success.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Pedro Pascal calls Robert Downey Jr. Daddy Doomsday in Avengers Doomsday interview
Speaking with AdoroCinema, Pedro Pascal teased Robert Downey Jr.'s anticipated return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Avengers: Doomsday, calling him 'Daddy Doomsday' in a playful tribute to his new role as the infamous villain Doctor Doom. 'He's delicious. It's loads of fun. He is Daddy Doomsday to all of us, truly,' Pascal said. Co-star Joseph Quinn added, 'He's a remarkable man.' Downey Jr.'s performance is notable not only for Pascal's enthusiastic praise, but also because it marks the actor's first time portraying a villain in the MCU. The role of Victor Von Doom is a dramatic shift from his legacy as Tony Stark/Iron Man, adding intrigue to Marvel's next phase. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Doomsday will serve as the fifth Avengers installment and the penultimate entry before Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The film is currently in production and scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. Pascal stars as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, now playing in theaters, alongside Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn. All four are confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday as well. The ensemble cast also includes Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Letitia Wright (Shuri), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), and many others. The lineup features both longtime MCU characters and newcomers like Lewis Pullman (Sentry) and Channing Tatum (Gambit), promising an epic-scale Marvel event. Though official plot details remain under wraps, cast reactions and early buzz suggest that Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom will be a defining presence—one the cast has already dubbed 'Daddy Doomsday.'
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
K-Pop Demon Hunters becomes most-watched animated film in Netflix history within six weeks
Netflix has confirmed that K-Pop Demon Hunters is now the most-viewed animated film in the platform's history, reaching over 26 million views and nearly 44 million hours watched within just six weeks of release. The film, which premiered on June 20 2025, follows HUNTR/X, a K-pop idol group that secretly fights supernatural threats. In the story, the group faces off against the Saja Boys, a rival demon-powered boy band. Since its release, K-Pop Demon Hunters has quickly risen in popularity, dominating social media and global music charts. The fictional bands featured in the film have produced original songs that have gained widespread attention. Several tracks have topped Billboard's global charts, with listeners comparing them to established acts such as BTS and BLACKPINK. According to Netflix's internal data released on July 29 2025, the film has spent six consecutive weeks in the Top 10 films section. It surpassed previous animated hits such as The Sea Beast and The Monkey King to claim the top spot. In addition to streaming success, the film's music has seen strong engagement online, increasing speculation about the potential for a sequel. While Netflix has not officially confirmed a follow-up, CEO Ted Sarandos praised the film in a recent statement, calling it 'original animation' that highlights the importance of storytelling and innovation. K-Pop Demon Hunters remains available to stream exclusively on Netflix, with fans continuing to express interest in further exploring the world of HUNTR/X.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Superheroes, Labubus steal spotlight
Comic fans are embracing the latest showdown between Marvel and DC as their superhero films Fantastic Four and Superman compete for box office dominance, reigniting a rivalry spanning over eight decades. Whether it's the thrill of seeing the comic book superhero The Thing shout "It's clobbering time!" before throwing a punch or watching Superman and his faithful pup Krypto save the day, fans are heading to movie theaters to support their favorite films. "Well, clearly I'm a Marvel fan," Danielle Stroski, who was dressed as the shapeshifter character named Mystique from Marvel's X-Men comics, at the San Diego Comic-Con. "But I have a little white dog at home, so I love me some Superman as well. And I know the little white dog is stealing the show for Superman, so it's going to be close. But I got to go Marvel," she added. The 42-year-old from California predicted Fantastic Four would outperform Superman at the box office. DC fan Lito Loza, dressed as Superboy, voiced his support for Superman. "I've already seen Superman three times, and I'm very, very happy with what James Gunn did with it. It makes me feel hopeful," he said, referring to the director. The filmmakers, meanwhile, encourage fans to support both offerings. "I'm a huge Superman fan. I'm a huge James Gunn fan. I'm thrilled that both of us are coming out this month," director Matt Shakman of Fantastic Four: First Steps told Reuters at the London premiere. "I think we share a lot of similar optimism in our tone and our feeling in the worlds that we're building. And there's room for Superman, there's room for Fantastic Four. I'm thrilled. Go see both," he added. Superman director Gunn, who directed the Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy, said in an interview in Los Angeles that he grew up reading both Marvel and DC comic books, appreciating their distinct tones. In theatres on July 11, Superman introduced David Corenswet as the Man of Steel. The movie grossed around $173 million globally and $264 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo. Warner Bros has heavily invested in Superman, aiming to launch a new era at DC Studios under Gunn, named co-CEO, alongside producer Peter Safran. Upcoming projects include a Supergirl film slated for June 2026, a film based on the character Swamp Thing as well as TV shows for HBO Max. Labubus abound It is not only superheroes who have been nestling in the spotlight of late. San Diego Comic-Con proved to be the latest location where the ugly-cute dolls named Labubu have been trending, with fans carrying the plushies globally popularised by celebrities Rihanna, Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink. The wide-eyed and grinning doll was created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist and illustrator Kasing Lung. In 2019, Lung allowed them to be sold by Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company that sells collectible figurines, often in "blind boxes". "Blind boxes" are sealed boxes containing a surprise item that is usually part of a themed collection. Naomi Galban, from San Diego, waited in line on Sunday at the Pop Mart booth in the San Diego Convention Center for a chance to get her first Labubu. "Every time I go to a Pop Mart store, they're sold out," the 24-year-old told Reuters. She hoped to buy one for her little sister. Emily Brough, Pop Mart's Head of IP Licensing, spoke to Reuters on Thursday about Labubu fans at Comic-Con. "We love to see how fans are personalising it for themselves," Brough said next to the Pop Mart booth. While Brough noted that there were many people with a Labubu strapped to their bags and backpacks at Comic-Con, the doll's popularity did not happen overnight. Labubus had a huge boost in 2019 after Pop Mart began selling them, and in 2024, when Blackpink's Lisa, who is Thai, created a buying frenzy in Thailand after she promoted Labubu on social media. Pop Mart saw sales skyrocket in North America that same year, with revenue in the US in the first quarter of 2025 already surpassing the full-year US revenue from 2024, Pop Mart said. When he created Labubu, Lung gave the character, who is female, a backstory inspired by Nordic mythology. He called her and his other fictional creatures "The Monsters." Diana Goycortua, 25, first discovered Labubu through social media, and before she knew it, it felt like a "game" to try and collect the dolls. "It's a little bit of gambling with what you're getting," the Labubu fan from San Diego said on Sunday while waiting at the Pop Mart booth, concluding that her love for the character made it worth trying blind boxes. Goycortua already has three Labubus, and was hoping to score her a fourth one at Comic-Con. Reuters
